Recently got a camera without a light meter, looking for some tips on how to meter by eye. I get the principle behind sunny 16, and have the table in my head, but I'm constantly getting different readings from my (phone) light meter than I'm getting from my guesses using sunny 16. Is it just practice?
Three sciences about light that'll help you understand: The science of photons, electromagnetic radiation, and bosons
Two technical concepts that'll help you understand how your camera works: How computers work, how chemistry works, and how the mechanics work in a camera. (Anon here like what the fuck computers? Yes anon your digital camera is a damn computer like a smartphone is a damn computer. Hell even in some cases a calculator can be a computer. And the next what the fuck statement is about film photography which is indeed chemistry.)
Last thing is knowing how all the programming and placement of the camera functionality is in your camera. Such as knowing what the hell C4k is in a Panasonic GH5 for example.
You do all this you would know your camera like a mechanic knows a car. Congratulations you are a step ahead in being a photographer or cinematographer.
The most important part about all of this is the hardest part which is does it make sense to you like any other art form?
This is the future of photography right here. True visionaries are emerging who can combine photography with other creative means. People who can see things that are not there, people who can dream up worlds and create them, If you are still walking around with a camera waiting for that one moment to appear in front of you to photograph it, you have already lost. That method is 20 years out of date now, don't get left behind /p this is your warning, the time to move is now or you WILL be left behind.